Headphones Meant Not to Filter out Background Noise
As oil reaches recording break highs, more and more people are turning to bikes to get them around and of course nobody wants to leave behind creature comforts like music while driving. Problem is most of today’s headphones are designed to filter out background noise. That’s not very safe for a bicyclists since hearing what’s coming is important. The Semicircle headphones are designed to fit in your ear without blocking background noise.
The unit is wireless with a bluetooth module that connects to a standard headphone jack. Riding your bike, saving the Earth, saving money, and enjoying music while doing it shouldn’t be a hazard. Nice concept.
Designer: Seohyun Baek





















115 Comments »
powers says
iSound? Really? I would have gone with AllSound. As for the concept, I guess people would buy it.
silvestre says
Not sure how it will fit the ears..
monkey face says
I will have best optimized my properties when I use the shape of half-donuts called the “semi-circle” because i have small ears that i love long time.
this i probably the funniest group of text i have heard all day.
J Thompson says
This is Korean English……
J Thompson says
This is Korean English……
yomilky says
The half-donuts, called “semi-circle” put smile on my pants! I very love saftey riding and learning Engrish.
yup says
that’s hilarious.
but seriously. its almost 2009!!! Can we stop naming things iTHIS and iTHAT?
yup says
….and next week, we’ll learn about logo placement. Maybe “iFAIL” logo on outer surface, rather than inner.
zippyflounder says
umm sorry wont work, how do I know well I am familar with a patented technology that did what the “design” is intened to to, and what it took to make one really work.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=glen.INNM.&s2=poss&OS=IN/glen+AND+poss&RS=IN/glen+AND+poss
Brian says
The holes that allow the music out of the headphones are impossibly small for standard manufacturing.
zippyflounder says
thats only the start, there is no air channel for the sound waves to travel to the ear in this design as it is placed dnug against the flesh. It would work using bone conductance but then the form factor is impossiable…again how do i know…been there, done that, got the t shirt.
KIDS KIDS KIDS before you propose a cute shape, as yourself will it work first, because if you dont your just doing “art” and not product design.
Allan says
This is a wonderful contrarian take on music equipment. I want to know what’s going on around me! Bravo!
Chuck LeDuc DÃaz says
I’m out of luck until the iPhone 3G supports A2DP stereo bluetooth.
greg says
don’t worry just get the Palm Pre
Chuck LeDuc Dí says
I'm out of luck until the iPhone 3G supports A2DP stereo bluetooth.
whitecrystal says
i want to buy it.
design says
“Headpones.” As an added bonus they’re made of cornmeal bread….
drew says
very nice indeed! smart concept!
barturtle says
Hmm…”U” shaped micro drivers? Never seen anything like that.
What’s the point of having wires connect to anything if you’re using Bluetooth?
No clip to keep the central piece held steady while riding?
Doesn’t filter out background noise, okay…but how about just drown it out? If I can’t hear it does it matter whether it was blocked or drowned out?
mikky says
nice idea
Sam says
i really need to noe how do u actually wear that product , it seemingly so impossible to wear it from the form i see, maybe a presentation demo photo of how u wear that ? cheers and peace !
Ethan says
How does this possibly fit in the ears, especially when your being active? doesnt seem to make sense to me.
Thursday says
I don’t get how to use them. Do those large things go inside the ear or around the root of the ear contacting the skull?
Also, isn’t there already a solution for this? Called “open design”?
James Smith, João Pessoa, Brazil says
“Going Green”? While adding another device that requires fossil fuels in its manufacture and components? Then the batteries further pollute in their manufacture and disposal.
Instead how about learning to think about things while you ride? Even on a long car trip, I never listen to the radio. Instead, I think about things like heat pollution, over-population and the awesome stupidity of most humans.
Dove says
sounds depressing…
Hallow says
LSD Bicycle riding goes so much better with music though, it really is a treat.
hater_b_hatin' says
including how stupid you are?
better says
whats a stupider idea than these headphones? …. whatever idiot wrote that ^ shit ^
James Smith, Jo&ati says
“Going Green”? While adding another device that requires fossil fuels in its manufacture and components? Then the batteries further pollute in their manufacture and disposal.
Instead how about learning to think about things while you ride? Even on a long car trip, I never listen to the radio. Instead, I think about things like heat pollution, over-population and the awesome stupidity of most humans.
Hallow says
LSD Bicycle riding goes so much better with music though, it really is a treat.
hater_b_hatin' says
including how stupid you are?
better says
whats a stupider idea than these headphones? …. whatever idiot wrote that ^ shit ^
Adam says
Why do all these “review” sites never provide a link to the companies sites
Jessica says
Actually, the main point of these headphones, to hear other vehicles while transporting yourself, is not valid. You do not have to hear to know what is going on around you, but must be observant. I am Deaf and use a bicycle to get around, and let me tell you, transportation is purely visual.
Interestingly to anyone who cares, Deaf people also drive and are able to sign to each other at the same time.
reaper says
nice theory
nice concept
bad english
bad execution
*fail*
qwerty says
Pretty cool design
nb says
it looks very UNCOMFORTABLE.
tom says
these look like they'd be more of a pain to fit in your ears than earbuds
tom says
these look like they'd be more of a pain to fit in your ears than earbuds
chotaskyey says
this is modern design run amok.
why don’t you just shove a fork in my ear.
chotaskyey says
this is modern design run amok.
why don’t you just shove a fork in my ear.
solar hot water says
"Semicircle is possible to safety riding a bike because it can hear outside and music sound with design." WAT
solar hot water says
“Semicircle is possible to safety riding a bike because it can hear outside and music sound with design.” WAT
jim says
Let me get this straight.
You've invented a device that gives cyclists – probably one of the highest risk groups of road users in terms of "being flattened on their journey" – a huge distraction.
And you call it safe.
Drugs are bad, m'kay?
jim says
Let me get this straight.
You've invented a device that gives cyclists – probably one of the highest risk groups of road users in terms of “being flattened on their journey” – a huge distraction.
And you call it safe.
Drugs are bad, m'kay?
Christopher J. Clasby says
"Save money and blow it on $200 ear buds, hipster!"
Christopher J. Clasby says
“Save money and blow it on $200 ear buds, hipster!”
nobody says
Why is this better then having speakers mounted on the bike?
nobody says
Why is this better then having speakers mounted on the bike?
Len says
Only real problem is that riding a bike on the road, while wearing headphones is illegal in all US states.
Great idea, but still ILLEGAL!
@cronos says
thank got i'm not living in the US
! kidding of course
Len says
Only real problem is that riding a bike on the road, while wearing headphones is illegal in all US states.
Great idea, but still ILLEGAL!
@cronos says
thank got i'm not living in the US
! kidding of course
;akljs;dlkfj says
earbuds are round because there's a little round speaker in them… aka the drivers… the drivers ARE the earbuds… the rest is just a case/protective grill./whatever… so the semicircle thing is cool but it leaves out… y'know… the part that makes sound… which to my knowledge can't really be made in any other shape and the current size is already a big compromise
;akljs;dlkfj says
earbuds are round because there's a little round speaker in them… aka the drivers… the drivers ARE the earbuds… the rest is just a case/protective grill./whatever… so the semicircle thing is cool but it leaves out… y'know… the part that makes sound… which to my knowledge can't really be made in any other shape and the current size is already a big compromise
anon says
terrible idea. yes it is unsafe to bike with headphones because they tend to block out noise, but with these you get your music plus all the wind in your ears blocking out the music and generally making everything sound like garbage.
anon says
terrible idea. yes it is unsafe to bike with headphones because they tend to block out noise, but with these you get your music plus all the wind in your ears blocking out the music and generally making everything sound like garbage.
meh says
um – why not just turn the sound down on your music instead of being such a fashion victim?
meh says
um – why not just turn the sound down on your music instead of being such a fashion victim?
ferris says
this is one of the worst-written articles I have ever had the displeasure of reading. I can only hope that whoever wrote this is still struggling with learning english, or is so bloody incompetent that no one of their right mind would ever give them the time of day.
ferris says
this is one of the worst-written articles I have ever had the displeasure of reading. I can only hope that whoever wrote this is still struggling with learning english, or is so bloody incompetent that no one of their right mind would ever give them the time of day.
Atris says
iThis and iThat, please lets be a little more original also with the name
Atris says
iThis and iThat, please lets be a little more original also with the name
JungleJap says
Just wondering how these earpieces are attached to the ears. Do we need some double sided sticky tape?
JungleJap says
Just wondering how these earpieces are attached to the ears. Do we need some double sided sticky tape?
SaintWiggles says
my god someone needs to edit that thing for grammar
SaintWiggles says
my god someone needs to edit that thing for grammar
i need a website says
I think its a great idea! anything that will help you exersise is great especially for fatties
i need a website says
I think its a great idea! anything that will help you exersise is great especially for fatties
FRESHOCTOPIE says
Why are all concept design pieces described in hilariously broken engrish?
Also, if you want to hear outside noise, get yourself some Koss Portapros. They are also more comfortable than that weird doughnut thing that I'm supposed to love long time.
I wear Portapros when I ride my bike. Bass sounds amazing, and I can still hear outside noise… they are also like 25 bucks. CHEEEEAP!
FRESHOCTOPIE says
Why are all concept design pieces described in hilariously broken engrish?
Also, if you want to hear outside noise, get yourself some Koss Portapros. They are also more comfortable than that weird doughnut thing that I'm supposed to love long time.
I wear Portapros when I ride my bike. Bass sounds amazing, and I can still hear outside noise… they are also like 25 bucks. CHEEEEAP!
Kids Headphones says
“oil reaches recording break highs” – absolute love the English! Funky looking headphones at first glance, yet they wouldn’t fit well? Nice design mind. Some amusing comments about them!
Kids Headphones says
“oil reaches recording break highs” – absolute love the English! Funky looking headphones at first glance, yet they wouldn’t fit well? Nice design mind. Some amusing comments about them!
Dicx Polygon says
design = 1/10
English 5 star
thanks for teh lulz
egenergy says
I always wondered if there was something that could do this – guess I was just too lazy to check
egenergy says
I always wondered if there was something that could do this – guess I was just too lazy to check
Rahul Shirbhate says
I am not agree with this… extremely dangerous while driving… even if it doesn’t filter background sound! It will distract person’s mind while driving… like same as, using a cell phone while driving is not permitted! Learn some driving ethics!
Rahul Shirbhate says
I am not agree with this… extremely dangerous while driving… even if it doesn’t filter background sound! It will distract person’s mind while driving… like same as, using a cell phone while driving is not permitted! Learn some driving ethics!
fajas colombianas says
I'd still prefer something that filters out outside noise so I could enjoy my music more.
chekira says
i want some !!
Jim Carrey says
Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my site something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?
Dawid Bistram says
why then car drivers have speakers set and plus even if they try it would be hard to monitor outside noise while driving
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